SPECIALIST MOWERS
Allett’s electric day at Twickenham
llett Mowers invited industry
leaders to Twickenham
Rugby Stadium on May 14th to
showcase the new Allett C34E battery
powered mower and hold informal
talks on sustainability. Attendance at
the venue represented football, rugby,
cricket, Royal Households, Oxford
and Cambridge University colleges
and dealers. Austin Jarrett, Allett’s
Managing Director, gave a talk on the
company’s battery machine strategy
and the technology behind battery
electric power helping to drive the future
for professionals. He emphasised the
health and safety benefits of non-
particulate power and sustainability
with zero emissions at the point of use,
low noise, low vibrations and minimum
maintenance.
A
Twickenham Rugby Stadium’s Head
Groundsman, Keith Kent, talked about
how he maintains a world class pitch,
providing the same standards whatever
the use, be it international rugby, leisure
events or even schools tournaments.
The third speaker, sustainability expert
28
Professor David Stubbs, presented on
the challenges in the industry, using a
case study of the London 2012 Olympic
Games. His talk embraced climate
change and how sport can help address
major global ecological problems.
The talks were followed by pitchside
demonstrations with everyone allowed
access to the hallowed turf and a very
green pitch in bright sunlight. The Allett
C34E was exceptionally well received
with its battery packs and futuristic
looks combined with the tradition and
heritage of the Allett cylinder mower.
Since it was first seen at Saltex 2018
Allett have spent the months in trials
and further developments, to bring the
mower to the stage where it is ready
to go into production. Powered by
the latest Lithium-ion system battery
technology, the C34E has a new chassis
design while maintaining compatibility
with Allett’s renowned turf maintenance
system. The mower has plenty of power
to drive the interchangeable cartridges
for powered raking, aerating and
brushing. Delegates were shown that,
just like its petrol counterparts, the
C34E gives an impeccable cut and lays
down Allett’s hallmark stripes.
Austin Jarrett says: “We’ll be using
the debate and feedback from the
customers to form part of Allett decision
making and future planning in our
battery machine strategy. The industry is
rapidly changing and while we aim to be
at the forefront we will only be launching
twenty C34E this year. When a customer
buys one of the first 20 machines we will
work with them and their dealer on any
developments of the machine before we
go into mass production next year.
They will become an Allett Pioneer
Programme member and attend focus
groups and factory visits and will also
get exclusive Pioneer merchandise.”
The consensus after the meeting was
general agreement the industry is
quickly learning about sustainability and
recognising the need to gain greater
momentum in the face of climate
change. Allett Mowers Ltd.
01889 271503
www.allett.co.uk
GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | Sept/Oct 2019